![]() So photons, the particles that make up light, are like little chunks of light that come in distinct packets. Quantum mechanics rests on the fact that the tiny bits making up the universe are discrete, or quantized. Yet scientists know that their models are incomplete because relativity is still not fully reconciled with quantum mechanics, which explains the properties of subatomic particles with extreme precision but does not incorporate the force of gravity. (Image credit: Shutterstock) What scientists still don't knowĭespite its intricacy, relativity remains the best way to account for the physical phenomena we know about. But the analogy isn't entirely accurate because space-time has four dimensions, while a sheet of rubber only has two. The simplest way to understand the fabric of space-time is to imagine a curved sheet of rubber that directs how everything in the universe moves. "Just to drive home the point, general relativity is so complex that when someone discovers a solution to the equations, they get the solution named after them and become semi-legendary in their own right." "Einstein made a beautiful machine, but he didn't exactly leave us a user's manual," wrote astrophysicist Paul Sutter for Live Science's sister site,. The complex equations used to account for all of this are tricky for even physicists to work with. It's not just warps in space that the sheet represents, but also warps in time. ![]() A rubber sheet is two dimensional, while space-time is four dimensional. Although we can discuss space-time as being similar to a sheet of rubber, the analogy eventually breaks down. Related: Ripples in Space-Time Could Reveal the Shape of Wormholesīut much of this remains difficult for most people to wrap their heads around. ![]() Motion due to gravity is actually motion along the twists and turns of space-time.Ī NASA mission called Gravity Probe B (GP-B) measured the shape of the space-time vortex around the Earth in 2011 and found that it closely accords with Einstein's predictions. These curves, in turn, constrict the ways in which everything in the universe moves, because objects have to follow paths along this warped curvature. Massive objects - like the Earth, sun or you - create distortions in space-time that cause it to bend. This, too, comes from Einstein, who realized as he developed his theory of general relativity that the force of gravity was due to curves in the fabric of space-time. Hot sub-topics include Astronomy, NASA, Astrophysics, Black Holes, Cosmology, Exoplanets, Hubble, Goddard Space Flight Center, Mars, Cassini-Huygens, James Webb Telescope, Juno, Gravitational Waves, ESA, and Dark Energy.Nowadays, when people talk about space-time, they often describe it as resembling a sheet of rubber. View incredible new space images from sources like Hubble, Kepler, James Webb space telescopes. Discover the current news on space exploration, astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and more out of places like NASA, JPL, ALMA, and ESA. Join us as we venture beyond Earth’s boundaries, delving into the secrets of the universe and uncovering the groundbreaking achievements that continue to push the limits of human knowledge and ingenuity.Įmbark on an interstellar journey of discovery and inspiration with SciTechDaily. Our expertly curated content covers a diverse range of topics, from the mysteries of black holes and exoplanets to advancements in space technology and international space missions. We provide you with up-to-date information on the latest discoveries, innovations, and research in space exploration, astronomy, and astrophysics. Find all the latest space news right now on SciTechDaily, your ultimate gateway to the cosmos and its countless wonders.
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